What First Time Users Need to Know about Computers

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Basic Questions

I am afraid to even touch my computer, can you tell me what to do?

What is Microsoft Windows?

What is Microsoft DOS?

What is a Desktop?

The Desktop -  A Closer Look (images)

I don't even know where to start.  How do I use my computer?

The Start Menu

What is a Program?

Can I click anywhere, or are there options in the menu I don't want to click?

This seems too overwhelming!

A Look into Windows

What is a Window?

How do you open a Window?

How do you close a Window?

Anatomy of a Window (images)

When do I single click and when do I double click?

Hardware - What little computers are made out of

What is hardware?

What are the most important components in my system?

Could you give me a few examples of these three major components?

Tell me about the components in my system.

Hardware - An open case (images)

Where are all these wires going to in the back of my system?

Software

What is software?  Give me a basic idea.

What is the difference between Hardware & Software?

What does it mean to install or setup a program?

Why is it that not all programs work with my computer?

What are Patches?

What are Upgrades?

What is Shareware?

What are Drivers?

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

I can’t seem to connect to the Internet.  My system isn’t dialing

My Internet Connection seems slow.  Why is that?